After Lonzo Ball‘s outspoken father, LaVar Ball, recently made critical comments of the Lakers and head coach Luke Walton, the organization held a private meeting with LaVar, asking him to tone down his remarks, ESPN’s Ramon Shelbourne writes.
The elder Ball confirmed the meeting — which was organized by Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka — took place and said both sides finding common ground is critical to both his son and the team.
“It was the best thing, man. Everybody’s going to try to make it an ego thing, like I’m trying to tell them what to do or they’re trying to tell me to tone it down,” LaVar said of the meeting. “It’s not about that. It’s about coming together and to get a solution to this problem.”
Among LaVar’s criticisms were Walton not playing Lonzo for long enough stretches, adding that he could coach his son better. Walton downplayed LaVar’s comments in recent days and has praised Lonzo’s team-first mindset and contributions. As the season — and Lonzo’s career progresses — LaVar said he would continue speaking his mind with the goal of helping his son improve.
“It may sound crazy to other people, but I really just want the best for Lonzo, and the best for Lonzo is going to be what’s best for the organization,” LaVar said. “Because if everybody winning, we good.”
Read up on more news coming out of Los Angeles:
- Former Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant has made several comments about Lonzo in recent days and his latest take on the 20-year-old point guard directly addressed his father, Bill Oram of the Orange County Register writes. Bryant said that pressure placed on Lonzo is “completely inconsequential” as long as he proves himself on the court. “The only time that matters is when he has to think of an answer,” Bryant said. “What matters is what he does in the gym before practice, during practice and after practice. That’s the only thing that matters.”
- Michael Lee of Yahoo Sports profiled Clippers rookie point guard Milos Teodosic, chronicling his journey from one of the most creative passers in the game as an international player to a starter in the NBA.
- Danilo Gallinari returned to the Clippers lineup after missing 13 games with a glute injury and he will now likely miss several games with a new glute injury, ESPN’s Lawrence Murray writes. Injuries have allowed Gallinari to appear in just 11 games this season, averaging 13.4 PPG. “It’s been that type of season thus far,” head coach Doc Rivers said. “Things can change. Right now, they are, they keep changing back to somebody getting hurt.”
Gallinari is always hurt.
He’s always butthurt
LaVar won’t listen to anyone. What’s he going to do when the shoes stop selling, Lonzo is only an average player, and his other 2 sons don’t make it to the NBA?
It’s pretty of dumb to say Lonzo is average. He’s having an incredibly rough start shooting but he’s averaging over 7 assists and rebounds. His numbers are pretty similar to the start Jason Kidd had his rookie year. His passing is special. He’s getting praise from Lebron. He’s an effing rookie.
And people say Kris Dunn was a bust, what would the comments be if he end the season with bad numbers? Because kris played for someone who doesn’t like rookies and was already labeled a bust! I agree Rookies should not be labeled at all, they are new players making a lot of money and under A lot of pressure! But it’s funny how many of Lakers fan gave up on Kris, but back ball! And at the end of the season, u will see them saying he’s just a rookie to soon to tell!!!!
Read the news and watch the games!
LeBron won’t play with rookies. He wouldn’t have gone back to Cleveland if they didn’t trade Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett, and draft picks for Kevin Love and he certainly won’t go to the Lakers. He went off on LaVar last spring. I agree with these people who say his kids need to.
Damon Lilliard, George Hill, Donovan Mitchell, Dennis Smith, Mike Conley, Russell Westbrook, Jamaal Murray, and CP3 are all better than Lonzo in the Western Conference.
Add Jeff Teague, Jrue Holiday, and Steph Curry too. Lonzo isn’t even the best rookie on the Lakers.
Can’t wait for LaVar to tell the Lithuanian coach his sons need to be playing the entire game if they go.
This situation is ridiculous. This isn’t high school ball, it’s the NBA – teams shouldn’t have to be holding meetings with a players DAD to sort things out. Lonzo is an adult, he really needs to grow a set and stop letting his old man interfere.
They called the meeting. It was more of a
” this is us telling/asking you nicely to tone it down before we have a problem. We’re not gonna play this BS back n forth media comments that you like to do for attention.
LaVar told them he wanted the Lakers to start playing Lonzo 12 minutes a quarter.
Watch the Jeff Goodman ESPN video about the Balls maybe going to Lithuania and you’ll understand better.
For LeBron, he said he won’t discuss his future until the seasons over. They talked about it during the game tonight. LeBron has a few good years left. He doesn’t want to spend it developing a team, he wants to be where one is already developed (and is willing to match the Warriors spending) like the Cavs and Rockets. I hope LeBron and his bff Dwayne Wade stay in Cleveland.
I’m sure every players father wants more playing time and a better coach. The difference is the other 1000 fathers don’t get media attention.
It’s really the nuts at ESPN that are enabling this behavior.
And there in lies the problem. ESPN is a joke and encourages this behavior. I really hope the lakers grow a pair and stop allowing ball to even be near the team. He’s a distraction and a cancer to the team AND HES NOT EVEN A PLAYER. I hope lonzo end up in Lithuania too so that we never have to hear of them again
Charles Barkley said Lithuania may not be far enough away for LaVar!
Fathers don’t go pulling their kids out of school to chase a dream that isn’t going to happen either. Magic, the Lakers GM, and Walton aren’t having to sit down with any of the other players parents. Their parents don’t act like LaVar does. The truth is he won’t let anyone control him. Not even the President of the United States.
I’m sick of LaVar, just so tired of him running his mouth. I can’t stand social media, never had an account with any of Facebook, Twitter, etc., and it’s A-Holes like this that reaffirms why I don’t do it. Just shut up LaVar, you’re already ruining your younger two sons lives. Lonzo seems to have a pretty good head on his shoulders, don’t alienate those that appreciate him.
LaVar Ball is a psychopath. He needs to be admitted to the funny farm instead of being allowed to meddle in the lives of his kids.
“It’s about coming together and to get a solution to this problem.”… This Problem, LaVar?!?!?!? “This problem” is you!!!
The guy is oblivious.
Yup. I’d like to say it’s fun watching this whole thing crash and burn, but it’s almost to the point where it’s more sad than anything else